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BY ADAM MOYNIHAN

After months of planning and filming, an innovative new video highlighting the lifesaving efforts of the Killarney Cardiac Response Unit has been released online. The video had almost 10,000 views on Facebook at the time of going to print and speaking to the Killarney Advertiser, Assistant Co-ordinator Mabel Counihan said the group were delighted with the reaction so far.

“It has been very, very positive,” she said. “We’ve had an awful lot of really good feedback. Some people just don’t know about us, so we decided to make the video to raise awareness. First responders are in most towns and villages but there are people who have never heard of us. This video will hopefully help to change that.”

Mabel was full of praise for videographer Niall Foley who made the video as well as the National Ambulance Service and sponsors for their continued support.

The Killarney Cardiac Response Unit is on the front line, working alongside the National Ambulance Service to provide assistance to people in need until the ambulance arrives. First responders attend to calls involving stroke, cardiac arrest, chest pain and choking. The unit currently has 35 members, two of whom are always ready to respond.

The hard-working volunteers, who have responded to 550 call-outs since the group’s inception in 2015, are always hoping to attract new members and they hope this professional and informative video will also be useful in that regard.

Anyone interested in getting involved is invited to come along to training on Tuesday night. For more information, call 085 8255280 or email killarneycardiacresponse@gmail.com.

Members are currently planning an open night in the Killarney Plaza Hotel in February. Keep an eye out for more information in upcoming editions of the Killarney Advertiser.